Bridal shows are so much fun, but can become overwhelming very quick! They are a great resource to meet potential vendors and win some awesome prizes. We are going to break down what you need to know before you go and how to leave feeling you made progress with wedding planning!

1. Be a VIP and pre-register

Many shows offer free or reduced rates to those who pre-register for the event. I’m all about saving money so this is a no brainier. Don’t waste that valuable time in line to get a ticket the day of, when you could be meeting and mingling with potential vendors. If the show has a VIP option to get in before the general admission, this is usually worth it! It gives you more time to talk and interact with the vendors and usually there is some good swag or even better, champagne!

2. The Vendor List

Make sure that the venues and vendors you are interested in and fit within your budget will actually be there. Spend some time online to research vendors you might meet at a given show to make sure their styles suit your wedding. The various vendor participants should be on the event website well in advance of the actual showcase.

3. Information Label

You will be asked by almost every vendor to “enter to win” something at during the show. Avoid the hand cramp and save time with this trick. Don’t write your first and last name, fiance’s name, wedding date, and e-mail address 500 times. Your hand will cramp and you will get tired of writing it repeatedly. That is why I recommend printing a sheet of mailing labels with that information on it. That way you can just peel and stick the information on the entry form instead of re-writing it!

4. Make a List of Questions

Come prepared with a list of questions you want to ask the vendors. Just because you have a photographer doesn’t mean you should ignore all the other photographers there. You never know if something will fall through and it’s a good idea to have a back up plan. Talk to the vendors and ask them questions about their services and pricing. Take notes! So what Bridal Shows have you attended? Did you have a favorite? We’d love to hear about your experience!